War Horse Cast Announced as Rehearsals Commence

The National Theatre of Great Britain and Global Creatures have announced the cast of the Australian production of the multiple Tony and Olivier Award-winning show War Horse. Rehearsals commenced today (October 2) in Sydney, with the cast and creative team coming together to start work on this unique stage production.

The War Horse cast is an ensemble of 33 actors including newcomer Cody Fern, a Sydney-based actor who takes on the role of Albert Narracott, the young boy whose beloved horse, Joey, is sold to the cavalry at the outbreak of World War I. Cody is making his major stage role debut in this production.

Melbourne-based actor Ian Bliss takes on the role of Ted Narracott, Albert's father. Familiar to audiences from a long list of television credits, Ian brings a wealth of experience to the emotional role of the tragic farmer in the Australian production of War Horse. Green Room award winner and AFI nominee Natasha Herbert brings her considerable stage experience to the role of Albert's mother, Rose Narracott and UK born Nicholas Bell plays Albert’s uncle Arthur in War Horse. Nicholas made his mark in British theatre as a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company before moving to Australia where he is now a familiar face in theatre, television and film.

Twelve members of the 33 Australian ensemble cast will create theatrical magic as the life force behind War Horse’s eighteen puppets. They will bring breathing, galloping, charging horses, created by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company, to life on stage. The puppeteers, working with these dynamic puppets, will lead Australian audiences on an emotionally-charged journey through history.

WAR HORSE CAST CREDITS

THE PEOPLE

James Bell Billy / Ludwig

Nicholas Bell Arthur / Sgt Thunder

Ian Bliss Ted /Strauss

Adam Booth Stewart /Heine

Mark Constable Carter / Klebb / Manfred

Andre de Vanny David

Mischana Dellora-Cornish Ensemble Girl / Baby Joey / Annie Gilbert

Dave Evans Songman

Cody Fern Albert

Natasha Herbert Rose

Anna Houston Ensemble Woman / Matron Callaghan

Belinda Jombwe Emilie

Rory Kelly Ensemble Boy / Baby Joey

Drew Livingston Acting Ensemble Swing

Dale March Nicholls / Paddy/ Dr Schweyk / Heine

Kenneth Moraleda Ensemble Man / Vet Martin

Emma Palmer Paulette / Baby Joey

Gareth Reeves Klausen / Allan

John Thompson Songman

Andrew Tighe Priest / Friedrich

Karlis Zaid Bone / Fine / Schnabel

THE HORSES

Nick Barlow Joey – Head

Kailah Cabanas Joey/Topthorn- Head

Michael Cullen Topthorn – Heart

Nick Eaton Joey – Heart

Grant Foulkes Joey/Topthorn- Heart

Lincoln Hall Topthorn – Hind

Kiera Lyons Joey/Topthorn– Hind

Ben McIvor Joey/Topthorn– Hind

Sarah Nelson Joey - Hind

John Shearman Joey/Topthorn –Head

Michael Wahr Joey/Topthorn – Head

Drew Wilson Joey/Topthorn–Heart

Directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris, War Horse is designed by Rae Smith, with puppet design and fabrication by Basil Jones and Adrian Kohler for Handspring Puppet Company, lighting by Paule Constable, and movement and horse choreography by Toby Sedgwick; the puppetry directors are Basil Jones and Adrian Kohler, with video design by Leo Warner and Mark Grimmer, songmaker John Tams, music by Adrian Sutton and sound by Christopher Shutt.

War Horse will hold its Australian premiere in Melbourne onNew Year’s Eve at Arts Centre Melbourne’s State Theatre. After the Melbourne season War Horse will travel to Sydney for a season at the Lyric Theatre from Saturday 16 March and to Brisbane for a season at Lyric Theatre from Saturday 6 July.